Anchor adapter bracket

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to an improved anchor bracket for mounting on a boat and for use in combination with an anchor, preferably an anchor having a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;mushroom&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; shape. The bracket is provided with a pair of anchor support surfaces and a pair of resilient pads that maintain the anchor, when raised, in a substantially horizontal position. Each anchor support surface is disposed at one side of an anchor line pulley and has an outwardly facing chamfered edge that is effective to prevent the anchor line from being cut as the anchor is weighed, especially from a position generally rearwardly of the bracket.

United States Patent [19] Norton ANCHOR ADAPTER BRACKET [76] Inventor: Don S.-Norton, v.0. Box 902,

Clinton, Miss. 39056 [22] Filed: .June 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 369,980

[52] US. Cl. 114/210 [51] Int. Cl B63b 21/22 [58] Field of Search 114/210 [56 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,831,450 4/1958 Schiele 114/210 2,837,050 6/1958 Frank 114/210 2,893,341

7/1959 Anderson 114/210 51 Apr. 16, 1974 Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Galen L. Barefoot Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure is directed to an improved anchor bracket for mounting on a boat and for use in combination with an anchor, preferably an anchor having a mushroom shape. The bracket is provided with a pair of anchor support surfaces and a pair of resilient pads that maintain the anchor, when raised, in a substantially horizontal position. Each anchor support surface is disposed at one side of an anchor line pulley and has an outwardly facing chamfered edge that is effective to prevent the anchor line from being cut as the anchor is weighed, especially from a position generally rearwardly of the bracket.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 16mm 3 804051 SHEEI 2 0F 2 ANCHOR ADAPTER BRACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention is related to anchor brackets that are mounted on decks of boats and operatively cooperate to raise, lower and support anchors.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many of the anchor brackets currently used on pleasure craft are subject to several disadvantages. One of these disadvantagesis that most anchors are not adequately supported and secured to the anchor bracket. This condition promotes the development of anchor line surges, or stated differently, a slackening of the anchor line due to the anchor randomly moving and tugging at the line while the craft travels through the water. Consequently, noise and bothersome vibrations result from such a loosened anchor.

Another unfavorable condition prevalent in conventional anchoring systems is the fact that many pleasure boats carry only one anchor. As is often the case due to wind and water current changes a boat will drift relative to the anchor and anchor line. If for instance, after drifting, an anchorline is rearward (for explaining the illustrative embodiment it will be assumed that the bracket is mounted on the front or bow of the boat) of the anchor bracket and it is then desired to weigh anchor, there is a tendency for the line to tighten against sharp corners on conventional brackets. Therefore, as the line is being pulled in, it will fray and eventually will be cut by these sharp edges.

A further disadvantage of conventional brackets is that many .carry the anchor vertically when the anchor is in a raised position. In this arrangement, the anchor tends to creep downwardly. Thus, serious damage to the boat hull may arise from the anchor creeping into the water and then colliding with the hull or from repeated strikes, of a loose anchor, against the hull. Moreover, by having the anchor in a vertical position, it is not visible to a boat operator, hence the operator would not be aware of this anchor creep.

One patent directed to providing a support for secur ing an anchor in a horizontal position has been granted to Frank, U.S. Pat. No. 2,837,050, issued June 3, 1958. As is disclosed in this patent, a pair of snubbers are provided that contact the interiorsurface of a generally concave-shaped anchor, whereby swaying of the anchor to either side is prevented. However, this arrangement is not particularly suited for anchors that have a mushroom shape, due to the fact that the center of gravity of such an anchor would extend forward of the snubbers, thereby producing an excessive strain on the line. Moreover, if the anchor and anchor line are pulled from a position rearward of the bracket in this prior there arrangement, ther is a likelihood that the line will be cut as a result of contact with the sharp edges of the guide arms attached to the hull.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention to overcome the aforediscussed disadvantages prevalent in the prior art. In order to accomplish this objective, the present invention proposesthat an anchor, preferably of the mushroom type, be firmly supported and secured in a generally parallel or horizonal position relative to the deck of a pleasure craft.

To this end, a conventional bracket is provided with not only two forwardly extending resilient pads but also with two forwardly extending generally arcuate-shaped anchor support surfaces that are positioned below the resilient pads. This arrangement furnishes support points that are very effective in insuring a firm securement of the anchor in the generally horizontal position. A benefit derived by this support arrangement is that anchor cable or line surges normally developed by a boat travelling at high speeds through water is eliminated thereby substantially reducing noise and vibrations.

The disclosed invention further includes having the outwardly facing edges of the anchor support surfaces chamfered along the arcuate extent thereof. In this manner, even if the anchor and anchor line are located rearward relative to the position of the bracket, the anchor line will not be frayed and cut when the anchor is weighed. Furthermore, the chamfered edges act to transfer the anchor line to a main pulley mounted on the bracket when the line is tightened thereagainst, thereby reducing resistance encountered by the line when raising the anchor. Benefits of these arcuate chamfered surfaces are an increased life for an anchor line as well as less difficulty encountered in weighing the anchor.

Another feature of the invention is to have the anchor support surfaces properly proportioned relative to the bracket and resilient pads so as to insure its proper functioning. To properly support anchors, especially with a mushroom shape, the anchor support surfaces proposed by the present invention extend forwardly to a greater extent than do the resilient pads. The effect of this increase in distance is to provide a slight generally upwardly and rearwardly tilt to the anchors center of gravity relative to the horizontal. As a result, the mushroom" shaped anchor is not only more securely seated on the bracket, but the strain on the anchor line is also decreased.

Furthermore, the size of the anchor supports and the angle of the chamfered edges are correlated to substantially vertically support members on the bracket carrying the anchor supports so that the line does not drag against any sharp edges on the bracket.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section disclosing an anchor and the improved anchor bracket made in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the anchor and anchor bracket shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the anchor bracket as shown in FIG. 2 with the anchor shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showingthe improved anchor bracket, a fragment of the boat to which it is attached and the anchor; and

FIG. 5 is a view showing the anchor bracket with certain details omitted for clarity, illustrating the manner in which the chamfered edges of the anchor bracket cooperate with an anchor line shown in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Now referring to the figures of the drawings, there is disclosed an improved anchor bracket made in accordance with the principles of the invention. The bracket includes a main base frame 12 that is substantially rectangular in configuration. It is adapted for securement to the deck 14 of a pleasure boat 16 by means of a plurality of conventional mounting bolts 18. A portion of the base frame extends away from the edge of the deck 14 so as to extend outwardly from the side or hull of the boat. In this manner, any water and mud residue on the anchor as it is being raised will now fall into the' water rather than onto the deck. Thus, it is not necessary to constantly clean the deck due to accumulated residue.

Along the longitudinal edges of the base frame are two upstanding sidewalls 20. At the forward end of the base frame is a main roller or anchor line pulley 22. The pulley is rotatably mounted upon a roller pin 24 that is attached at both of its ends to the sidewalls by means of conventional retaining screws 26 and lock washers 28. The pulley acts to guide an anchor line 30 as the latter is either raised or lowered. Additionally,

the pulley is adapted to provide a support surface that cooperates with an anchor 32 when the anchor is in a substantially horizontal position. The pulley is slightly concave and therefore is adapted to receive an anchor especially of the mushroom type.

The mushroom type anchor used in combination with the anchor bracket 10 is preferably a vinyl covered lead anchor having a substantially rounded vertical stem that is to be snugly seated on the concave section of the pulley. Attached to this vertical stem is an eye bolt 34 that is suitably attached to the anchor line.

Extending vertically upwardly at the forward endsof the sidewalls are a pair of generally vertically extending, retaining arms 36. Each arm is positioned at the opposite ends of the pulley 22 and are suitably connected to the sidewalls of the bracket. As best seen in FIG. 3, the upper portions of arms 36 are curved inwardly towards a longitudinal axis of the base frame 12. This inward curvature is effective to prevent the anchor stem from bouncing away from the base frame during travel of the boat. Also, each of the arms has a forwardly extending generally cylindrical resilient, preferably rubber, pad 38. The resilient pads are secured to the upper portion of the arms by means of a retaining screw 40 and a self-locking nut 42. The resilient pads are especially effective in reducing the noise resulting from-any movement of the anchor relative thereto.

Both retaining arms 36 are also provided with anchor support surfaces 44. Each of these anchor support surfaces are placed below a resilient pad 38 and are located on opposite ends of the pulley 22. The anchor support surfaces have, preferably, a generally arcuate shape. As more clearly seen in FIG. 2, the entire arcuate extent of the support surfaces 44 have outward edges 46 that are chamfered for reasons to be discussed hereinafter. Retaining screws are utilized for connecting the anchor support surfaces 44 to the arms 36.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the resilient pads 38 operate in conjunction with the anchor support surfaces to form four support points that will provide contact between the anchor bracket 10 and the anchor 32. This arrangement assures that the anchor will be more securely supported in a substantially parallel or horizontal position. In having the anchor in a horizontal position, the surge normally experienced by the anchor line 30, while the boat is moving, is reduced. Consequently, less noise and vibrations occur.

To properly support anchors, having a mushroom shape, the anchor support surfaces 44 extend forwardly a greater extent than do the resilient pads 38. The increased distance is effective to provide a generally upward and rearward tilt to the anchors center of gravity relative to the horizontal. One advantage derived by this rearward tilting of the anchor 32 is that the anchor line is slightly slackened and therefore, the line has less strain placed thereon. Another resulting advantage is that the anchor, when raised, is more securely seated on the bracket 10.

Normally, a boat using only one anchor will tend to drift due to changing wind and water currents. It is therefore possible for the anchor to assume any position, within a complete 360 circle, relative to the boat. In such cases the anchor may be generally rearwardly disposed relative to the anchor bracket and there is a danger the anchor line will be frayed and cut when the anchor is weighed. As the anchor is lifted or raised by suitable means (not forming part of this invention) the anchor line will ride along either one of the chamfered edges 46. Therefore, when the anchor line is tightened against the edges there will not be any sharp edges upon which the line will be dragged and subsequently frayed and cut. In addition, due to the chamfered edges, there will be less resistance encountered by the line in lifting the anchor. Furthermore, these edges act to facilitate the transfer of the line to the pulley 22 during weighing of the anchor.

The aforenoted chamfer angle of the edges 46 is such as to assure that line 30 will not contact sharpened edges on the bracket 10, such as those on the arms 36.

The anchor support surfaces 44 are alsoso dimensioned as to enable it toextend away the arms 36 a sufficient distance so that the anchor line 30 will not contact the edges of the arms 36. Thus, both the angle of the chamfered edges and the dimension of the support surfaces 44 are so correlated to each other and the bracket and arms as to. assure its proper functioning. The exact dimensions and proportions of the angle and support surfaces will vary,in dependency upon the size of the anchor bracket and the arms 36. Also, by having the anchor support generally arcuate, as the anchor 32 is weighed, the anchor line 30 can slide along the edges.

Rearwardly mounted on the base frame 12 is a vertically positioned line guide eyelet 48. the guide eyelet can be selectively replaced so as to accommodate various sized anchor lines as well as be effective to cooperate to guide the anchor lines.

From this above arrangement, a simple yet effective device ensures that line surges, anchor creep, as well as noise and damaging vibrations are reduced.

An additional device used to properly and positively maintain the anchor in its horizontal position is a safety pin 50 mounted so as to be slidably inserted within two aligned openings (not shown). Each of these openings are formed within respective sidewalls of the base frame 12. This self-locking safety pin is made of any suitable rigid material. As shown in FIG. 4, the safety pin is also adapted to slidably fit through the eye bolt 34. Thus, the safety pin positively locks the anchor 32 to the bracket. This is especially beneficial in maintaining proper anchor position while the boat travels at high speeds through rough water. A keeper chain 52 is provided having one end (not shown) attached to the base frame and having its other end appropriately secured to the safety pin. Thus, the keeper chain is effective to prevent the safety pin from being misplaced or lost during usage.

It should be apparent from the foregoing disclosure that the improved anchor bracket of the present invention is especially effective in providing an anchor bracket that will be durable in use, safe in operation, and will be effective to properly secure the anchor in a relatively stable position, thereby reducing noise, vibrations, and eliminating the detrimental effects of having a loose anchor.

Although the invention herein shown and described is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is to be accorded in the following scope of the claims so as to encompass any'and all equivalent structures and devices.

What is claimed is: I

1. An anchor bracket adapted for connection to a deck of a boat for use in raising, lowering and supporting an anchor by means of an anchor line so that when in the raised position the anchor is supported in a substantially horizontal position, the bracket including:

a first means adapted for fixing to the deck so that a forward portion thereof extends over the edge of the deck;

a second means rotatably mounted on the forward portion of the first means for cooperating with the anchor line and for supporting the anchor when raised;

a vertical support means connected to the first means at the forward end thereof on either side of said second means;

a pair of forwardly extending resilient means, each one of which is affixed to the top end of a respectively corresponding one of the vertical support means for cooperating with the anchor so as to reduce noise; and

a pair of forwardly extending anchor support means, each one of which is disposed at a position below a corresponding one of the resilient means at the side of the second means, the support means extending forwardly a greater distance than the resilient means for increasing the stability of the anchor in the raised position, both pairs of resilient means and support means cooperating with each other and with the second means to maintain the anchor in the raised position.

2. An anchor bracket as in claim 1 wherein the support means is generally arcuate shaped and includes outer edges that are chamfered at an angle so that the anchor line will contact the outer edges, the outer edges also acting to transfer the anchor line to the second means thereby preventing the anchor line from tightening and dragging against any sharp edges on the anchor bracket as the anchor is hoisted to the raised position.

3. An anchor bracket as in claim 2 wherein both the dimensions of the arcuate-shaped support means and the angle of the chamfered outer edges are proportional and correlated with respect to each other and the anchor bracket to insure that the anchor line will not tighten and drag against any sharp edges on the bracket.

4. The anchor bracket as in claim 1 further comprising: a locking means operatively cooperating with the base member and the anchor so as to positively lock the anchor in a position whereat the anchor is substantially horizontal and whereby the anchor will not move from the anchor bracket as the boat travels through rough water at high speeds.

5. The anchor bracket as in claim 1 wherein the second means comprises a pulley.

6. In combination:

a generally mushroom shaped anchor having a stem and head portion;

an anchor bracket connected to the deck of a boat for use in raising and lowering the anchor by means of an anchor line so that, when the anchor is in the raised position, the anchor assumes a substantially horizontal position, wherein the anchor bracket includes:

a first means fixed to the deck so that a forward positionthereof extends over the edge of the deck;

a second means rotatably mounted on the forward portion of the first means for cooperating with the anchor line and for supporting the anchor when in the raised position;

vertical support means connected to the first means at the forward end thereof on either side of said second means;

a pair of forwardly extending resilient means, each one of which is affixed to the top end of a respectively corresponding vertical support means for cooperating with the anchor so as to reduce noise as the boat travels through the water;

a pair of forwardly extending support means, each one of which is disposed at a position below a corresponding one of the resilient means at the side of said second means, the support means extending forwardly to a greater extent than the pair of resilient means so as to tilt the anchor upwardly and rearwardly, thereby changing the position of the anchors center of gravity relative to the horizontal, both pairs of the resilient means and the support means cooperating with each other, with the head and stem portion of the mushroom-shaped anchor and with said second means to maintain the anchor in a substantially horizontal position when raised.

7. A combination as in claim 6 wherein the support means is arcuate-shaped and includes outer edges than are chamfered at an angle so that the anchor line will contact the outer edges and act to transfer the anchor line to the roller, thereby preventing the anchor line from tightening and then dragging against any sharp edges on the anchor bracket as the anchor is hoisted to the raised position.

8. A combination as in claim 7 wherein both the dimensions of the arcuate-shaped support means and the angle of the chamfered outer edges are proportional and correlated with respect to each other and the anchor bracket to insure that the anchor line will not tighten and drag against any sharp edges on the bracket.

9. A combination as in claim 6 further comprising: a locking means operatively cooperating with the base 7 8 member and the stem portion of the anchor so as to els through rough water at high speeds. positively lock the anchor in a position whereut the an- 10. A combination as in claim 6 wherein the second chor is substantially horizontal and whereby the anchor means comprises a pulley. will not move from the anchor bracket as the boat trav- 

1. An anchor bracket adapted for connection to a deck of a boat for use in raising, lowering and supporting an anchor by means of an anchor line so that when in the raised position the anchor is supported in a substantially horizontal position, the bracket including: a first means adapted for fixing to the deCk so that a forward portion thereof extends over the edge of the deck; a second means rotatably mounted on the forward portion of the first means for cooperating with the anchor line and for supporting the anchor when raised; a vertical support means connected to the first means at the forward end thereof on either side of said second means; a pair of forwardly extending resilient means, each one of which is affixed to the top end of a respectively corresponding one of the vertical support means for cooperating with the anchor so as to reduce noise; and a pair of forwardly extending anchor support means, each one of which is disposed at a position below a corresponding one of the resilient means at the side of the second means, the support means extending forwardly a greater distance than the resilient means for increasing the stability of the anchor in the raised position, both pairs of resilient means and support means cooperating with each other and with the second means to maintain the anchor in the raised position.
 2. An anchor bracket as in claim 1 wherein the support means is generally arcuate shaped and includes outer edges that are chamfered at an angle so that the anchor line will contact the outer edges, the outer edges also acting to transfer the anchor line to the second means thereby preventing the anchor line from tightening and dragging against any sharp edges on the anchor bracket as the anchor is hoisted to the raised position.
 3. An anchor bracket as in claim 2 wherein both the dimensions of the arcuate-shaped support means and the angle of the chamfered outer edges are proportional and correlated with respect to each other and the anchor bracket to insure that the anchor line will not tighten and drag against any sharp edges on the bracket.
 4. The anchor bracket as in claim 1 further comprising: a locking means operatively cooperating with the base member and the anchor so as to positively lock the anchor in a position whereat the anchor is substantially horizontal and whereby the anchor will not move from the anchor bracket as the boat travels through rough water at high speeds.
 5. The anchor bracket as in claim 1 wherein the second means comprises a pulley.
 6. In combination: a generally mushroom shaped anchor having a stem and head portion; an anchor bracket connected to the deck of a boat for use in raising and lowering the anchor by means of an anchor line so that, when the anchor is in the raised position, the anchor assumes a substantially horizontal position, wherein the anchor bracket includes: a first means fixed to the deck so that a forward position thereof extends over the edge of the deck; a second means rotatably mounted on the forward portion of the first means for cooperating with the anchor line and for supporting the anchor when in the raised position; vertical support means connected to the first means at the forward end thereof on either side of said second means; a pair of forwardly extending resilient means, each one of which is affixed to the top end of a respectively corresponding vertical support means for cooperating with the anchor so as to reduce noise as the boat travels through the water; a pair of forwardly extending support means, each one of which is disposed at a position below a corresponding one of the resilient means at the side of said second means, the support means extending forwardly to a greater extent than the pair of resilient means so as to tilt the anchor upwardly and rearwardly, thereby changing the position of the anchor''s center of gravity relative to the horizontal, both pairs of the resilient means and the support means cooperating with each other, with the head and stem portion of the mushroom-shaped anchor and with said second means to maintain the anchor in a substantially horizontal position when raised.
 7. A combination as in claim 6 wherein the support means is arcuate-shaped and includes outer edges than are chamfered at aN angle so that the anchor line will contact the outer edges and act to transfer the anchor line to the roller, thereby preventing the anchor line from tightening and then dragging against any sharp edges on the anchor bracket as the anchor is hoisted to the raised position.
 8. A combination as in claim 7 wherein both the dimensions of the arcuate-shaped support means and the angle of the chamfered outer edges are proportional and correlated with respect to each other and the anchor bracket to insure that the anchor line will not tighten and drag against any sharp edges on the bracket.
 9. A combination as in claim 6 further comprising: a locking means operatively cooperating with the base member and the stem portion of the anchor so as to positively lock the anchor in a position whereat the anchor is substantially horizontal and whereby the anchor will not move from the anchor bracket as the boat travels through rough water at high speeds.
 10. A combination as in claim 6 wherein the second means comprises a pulley. 